Making Coffee
Traces the mysterious and conflict-ridden journey of the coffee bean from its Ethiopian birthplace, through Arabia and the Middle East, and on to Europe and the New World. The crucial role of the beverage in shaping the spiritual and social life of medieval Arabia and Turkey is explored and how it became irrevocably entrenched in the Western cultures.

This is basically coffee ice, or slush. Makes just over 1 liter or 4 cups.

Ingredients : Serves 4

200 ml Strong coffee

400 ml Water

140 g Sugar

2.5 ml Vanilla essence (extract) - optional

1 Egg white - optional

120 ml Whipped cream to decorate

Method :

Pour the brewed coffee into a large bowl or blender and set aside. Boil half the water with the sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Place in the refrigerator. When the sugar syrup is cold, add it, the remaining water, and the vanilla to the coffee. Stir until well-blended. If using, whisk the egg white and fold it into the mixture. It will make the granita much smoother. Pour the mixture into a shallow freezer-proof tin (pan), such as an ice cube tray or baking tin (sheet) and place in the freezer. About every 30 minutes, break the freezing mixture up with a form to create the traditional grainy shaved-ice consistency. When it is well-frozen serve it in individual cups, and top them with a little whipped cream.